October truly is one of the best months of the year, right? I am so pumped to get outside and take photos of my kids playing in the leaves!

Here are some ideas for family fun in southeast Michigan in October 2015. Please note if you are looking for Halloween-specific events, check out this BIG LIST.Additionally, make sure to check out Page’s Pages for TONS of local and FREE Fire Department Open Houses. There are so many, I could only list a handful!

Weekends, through Oct. 25 — Children’s Fall Festival at MJR Digital Cinemas {Various locations throughout SE Michigan} — FREE movies for children, ages 12 and under, and just $1 for adults! Keep an eye on Facebook for the exact showtimes, to be announced throughout the month.

Weekends, through October 4 – Michigan Renaissance Festival – Visit Holly Grove where music, sword-swallowing, comedy, fire-juggling and of course, the costumes of a bygone era all wonderfully on display. Open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., rain or shine! Dress in costume for added fun and be sure to check out how the Festival celebrates with themed weekends. Free parking. Adult general admission on day-of: $21.95; child general admission: $12.95.

October 3 — Dog Loves Books at Michigan Theater {Ann Arbor} — Louise Yates’ New York Times Best Seller comes to life in ArtsPower’s newest musical about the irresistible Dog who loves books SO much that he decides to open up his bookstore. This delightful musical celebrates the power of the imagination and the satisfaction that comes when you share books with others. Ideal for grades K-2. Shows at 1:30 p.m. Tickets start at $10.

October 3 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — VisitMichael’s for the Great Pumpkin event! Kids and adults can make a silly monster or a mummy pumpkin. Buy a 9″ craft pumpkin by Ashland® and the supplies are FREE! 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Ages 3 and up.

October 3 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a harvest mobile.

October 3 — Kids Workshop at The Home Depot {Nationwide} — Build a firetruck at this event. This hands-on workshop is for children ages 5 – 12. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Register online in advance. FREE.

October 10 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a Perler Frankenstein.

October 12 — Macy’s 2nd Mondays at The Henry Ford Museum {Dearborn} — Introduce your preschool children to the wonders of The Henry Ford — all before nap time {10 a.m. – noon}. Storytelling, live entertainment and dozens of hands-on activities related to some of the museum’s most memorable artifacts. October’s theme is Fall Harvest and will take place in Greenfield Village. FREE for kids, adults can get 25 percent off their tickets with this coupon!

October 17 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is Halloween tic-tac-toe.

October 17 — Canton Public Library Family MusicFest {Canton} — Visit Canton Public Library for a day’s worth of fantastic, energetic, diverse musical acts. This program is designed for families and patrons of all ages. FREE.

October 20 — Stories for Sprouts and Seedlings at MSU Children’s Gardens {East Lansing} — This program is for young children, ages 2-4, to experience the wonders of gardening through stories and hands-on projects. Each month a different book is featured with an accompanying gardening activity. FREE. Parking is metered and runs $1.80/hour.

October 24 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a pet spider.

September is here, which means it’s time for another installment of family fun around Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing! I don’t know about you all, but I am really looking forward to this month…Back-to-school for us {a.k.a. back to a routine – yay!}, apple picking, cider, donuts and a few of the fabulous events outlined below. Enjoy the month, friends!

FAMILY FUN IN SEPTEMBER 2015 IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

Weekends, through October 4 – Michigan Renaissance Festival– Come to Holly Grove where music, sword-swallowing, comedy, fire-juggling and of course, the costumes of a bygone era all wonderfully on display. Open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., rain or shine! Dress in costume for added fun and be sure to check out how the Festival celebrates with themed weekends. Free parking. Adult general admission on day-of: $21.95; child general admission: $12.95.

September 2-6 – Saline Community Fair {Saline} – Join Saline for their annual community fair full of rides, activities, parades and family fun! Sept. 3 is kiddie day. All other days, admission is $7 for ages 11 and up.

September 4-7 – Fifth Third Bank Michigan State Fair {Novi} – This year’s State Fair will include an expanded Midway, live entertainment, racing pigs, livestock and home arts exhibits, the state of Michigan Butter Cow, special performances by the Detroit Shrine Circus, Made in Michigan Pavilion, tasty carnival treats, and more. There is customized pricing, depending on what you want to do — prices range from $4-$30. Children 2 and under are free.

September 5 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a football windsock.

September 5 – Kids Workshop at The Home Depot {Nationwide} – Build a football toss game at this event. This hands-on workshop is for children ages 5 – 12. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Register online in advance. FREE.

September 5 – Families at The Broad {East Lansing} – Visit this East Lansing modern art museum from 12-4 p.m. for hands-on activities and a family guided tour at 1 p.m. FREE thanks to Farm Bureau.

September 10-13 – Frontier Days {Charlotte} – Pioneer-spirited guests will enjoy this annual event featuring one of Mid-Michigan’s largest parades, a championship rodeo, flea market, more than 250 arts and crafts exhibits, an old-fashioned saloon, and more. FREE.

September 10-13 – Richmond Good Old Days Festival {Richmond} – The Annual Richmond Area Good Old Days Festival is one of Michigan’s best small town festivals and boasts the largest marching musical parade in Michigan, as well as a carnival, antique fire muster, a children’s candy scramble and much more. FREE.

September 10-13 – The Addams Family at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre {Ann Arbor} – This darkly comic musical, based on the classic New Yorker cartoon-turned-60’s TV series, is every father’s nightmare. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. Everything will change for the Addams family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. Tickets range from $13 {students} to $25 {adults}.

September 11 – The Great West Bloomfield Camp Out {West Bloomfield} – Pitch your tent down by the lakeshore and enjoy Marshbank Park as you have never been able to before. Enjoy a traditional camp out dinner of hot dogs and baked beans. After dinner, enjoy a variety of activities to keep you busy: hayrides, fishing, archery, volleyball and glow in the dark crafts and games. When night falls, star-gazing, live music and s’mores by the camp fire will round out your evening. Pre-registration is mandatory. $9 per resident and $11 per nonresident, ages 2+.

September 11-12 – Brighton’s Smokin’ Jazz and Barbecue Blues Festival {Brighton} – Visit downtown Brighton for talented musicians and food vendors from all over the country smokin’ up the streets. Experience the tastiest of barbecue, the smoothest of jazz and the bluest of blues, and be sure to wash it down with ice-cold beverages from the beer and wine garden. Admission is $5, but FREE before 6 p.m. Ages 18 and under are FREE with accompanying adult admission.

September 11-13 – Arts and Apples Festival {Rochester} – For 50 years, the Art & Apples Festival has transformed the 30-acre Rochester Park into one of the nation’s top fine art fairs with over 290 artists from across the country. Other attractions include non-stop entertainment, food vendors, and a Meijer Kids Art Zone. FREE.

September 12 – FREE Day at Sloan Museum {Flint} – Visit the Sloan Museum and Buick Gallery for FREE thanks to Brown & Brown Insurance. Learn more about what you can expect at this post.

September 12 – Holly’s 150th Birthday Celebration {Holly} – Celebrate the 150th year of being established as a village with a parade {Saturday at 11 a.m.}, food, fun, kids games, entertainment, music, contests, family fun, fireworks at dusk and more. FREE.

September 12 – Big Wheels Keep on Rollin’ {Waterford} – Get the scoop at this event listing from Metro Detroit Mommy!

September 12 – Homegrown Festival {Ann Arbor} – The HomeGrown Festival is a grassroots community event showcasing the best of our region’s locally grown food, drink, music and fun. FREE.

September 12 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a bird feeder.

September 13 – Kerrytown Bookfest {Ann Arbor} – The 13th Annual Kerrytown BookFest is chock full of authors, activities, and hundreds of the best books. Activities include breakfast with Michigan authors, comic Books, an edible book contest, used and rare books for sale, storytellers, and more. FREE.

September 13 – Grandparents Day at Longway Planetarium {Flint} – Ship the kids off and have them celebrate Grandparents Day at Longway Planetarium! Grandparents get in free with paid child ticket*. It’s the perfect chance to catch Longway Planetarium’s newest show Accidental Astronauts. {Valid 9/13/15 only. One Senior admission with one Youth admission to Longway Planetarium. Not valid on Combo tickets.}

September 14 – Macy’s 2nd Mondays at The Henry Ford Museum {Dearborn} –Introduce your preschool children to the wonders of The Henry Ford — all before nap time {10 a.m. – noon}. Storytelling, live entertainment and dozens of hands-on activities related to some of the museum’s most memorable artifacts. September’s theme is Back-to-School and will take place in Greenfield Village. FREE for kids, adults can get 25 percent off their tickets with this coupon!

September 15 – Stories for Sprouts and Seedlings at MSU Children’s Gardens {East Lansing} – This program is for young children, ages 2-4, to experience the wonders of gardening through stories and hands-on projects. Each month a different book is featured with an accompanying gardening activity. This month is The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall. FREE. Parking is metered and runs $1.80/hour.

September 17-18 – Harvest Moon Celebration {Farmington} – A celebration of fall, the Harvest Moon Celebration includes music, craft beer and wine tasting, and food pairings. $6 in advance; $8 at the door.

September 18-20 – Victorian Festival {Northville} – Northville’s Victorian architecture provides a stunning backdrop for a festival that aims to transport you back to the 1800s. Costumed characters, a parade, vintage baseball, a Great Lakes Timber Show, music, carnival rides, crafts, food, and more are featured. FREE.

September 18-19 – Old Town BluesFest {Lansing} – The Old Town BluesFest is a two-day FREE music festival that brings national, regional, and local acts to the streets of Old Town Lansing. The Kidzbeats area offers plenty of activities and Lansing Metro Marinas will be giving half-hour tours of the Grand River on Friday from 5-8 p.m. {Tours are $4 per person and free to children 6 and under.}

September 19 — Meridian Fall Heritage Festival {Meridian} — Visitors enjoy early American demonstrations and exhibits in the Village as well as children’s activities and games. Take a look back in history with demos, archery, fishing, long rifle events, pioneer and Native American children’s activities and games, pony rides, a native Powwow demonstration and more. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. FREE.

September 19 – Hamburg Fire Department Open House {Hamburg} – Visit the station from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Visit Page’s Pages for the scoop!

September 19 – Van Buren Township Fire Department Open House {Van Buren} – Visit Walgreens, located at 10276 Belleville Rd. from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to learn more about the fire station. Visit Page’s Pages for the scoop!

September 19 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a fall hand print tree.

September 19 — Top Secret: License to Spy opens at Sloan Museum {Flint} — This special exhibit focuses on the science and technology of spying and espionage. Investigate leads, gather intelligence, and uncover clues to solve a double-agent mystery, complete with hands-on activities like cracking the code on the lock of a transparent safe and using an oscilloscope to find a hidden bug. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, youth {2-11} is $6 and infants {1 and under} are free. Learn more about this gem of a museum at this recent post.

September 19-20 – Down Home Days {Mason} – Check out fall colors and visit Mason for an outdoor concert Thursday, family walk Friday, Saturday’s 150-vendor craft show on the historic Ingham County Courthouse Square and more. FREE.

September 19-20 – Romulus Pumpkin Festival {Romulus} – This 3-day event begins with a night parade where everything is lighted from bicycles to cement trucks. Join in on the fun, including music, food, crafts and games like a pumpkin rolling, pumpkin pie eating or a pumpkin seed-spitting contest. There’s a Classic Car Show, classic Tractor Show, live entertainment and more. FREE.

September 20 – World Rhino Day at Potter Park Zoo {Lansing} – To celebrate the 5th annual World Rhino Day, visit Potter Park for special tours and a behind-the-scenes look at their black rhino exhibit. There will also be rhino informational tables and activities for the kids from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets are available for 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. and will be $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under, in addition to regular zoo entry and parking. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

September 22-27 – Cinderella at Wharton Center {East Lansing} – With its fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA combines the story’s classic elements – glass slippers, pumpkin, and a beautiful ball along with some surprising twists. Tickets range from $35-$82.50.

September 23 – Yogurtopia Family Fun Grand Opening {East Dearborn} – Yogurtopia invites the community to visit from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. for music, face painting, special discounts and photo opportunities with Miley the Yogurtopia mascot. Proceeds from sales will benefit Hope Now for ALS. Additionally, guests can receive buy one get one free for all frozen yogurt orders during the event. The newest location is at 6901 Schaefer Rd. {More information + a giveaway coming soon!}

September 26 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a candy corn banner.

September 26 – Great Lakes Bat Festival {Ann Arbor} – This annual festival celebrates the unique role of bats in the Great Lakes ecosystem as insect eaters, while dispelling myths and misinformation that generate needless fears and threaten bats and their habitats around the world. The goal of the festival is to teach people about the fascinating world of bats and inspire people to protect the environment. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Washtenaw Community College. FREE.

September 26 – Belle Isle Summer Saturdays {Detroit} – From 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., visit Belle Isle for TONS of family fun! Visitors can learn the fundamentals of kayaking and water exploration, rent bicycles, participate in outdoor games, brave the giant slide and explore Belle Isle with self-paced island tours. The Detroit City Chess Club will also be at Dossin Great Lakes Museum, and the Belle Isle Aquarium and Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory will be open and, as always, free to visit. FREE.

August is such a bittersweet month here in Michigan, right? The calm before the storm of school begins and life returns to normal. I hope you all do your best to wrap up summer memories by attending some of the events below. ENJOY!

Family Fun in Southeast Michigan in August 2015

August 1-2 — Buy Michigan Now Fest {Northville} — Michigan vendors, activities and music for the whole family. North Center Street is home to the Kids Zone with magic, games, mascots, and more. FREE to enter.

August 1 — Home Depot Kids Workshop {Nationwide} — Visit Home Depot to build a chalkboard door hanger. Kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a workshop apron, and a pin. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. FREE.

August 1 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a rain stick.

August 1 — Families at The Broad {East Lansing} — Visit this East Lansing modern art museum from 12-4 p.m. for hands-on activities and a family guided tour at 1 p.m. FREE.

August 6, 7, 13, 14 — Reading and Rhythm on the Riverfront {Detroit} — Reading & Rhythm on the Riverfront is the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s unique, interactive early literacy program that provides children from southeast Michigan an opportunity to see live children’s entertainment, hear a story read by a local celebrity reader and receive a free book, as well as a ride on the lovely Cullen Family Carousel. 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. timeslots. FREE.

August 7 — Big Rig Gig {Lake Orion} — Get the scoop at this event listing from Metro Detroit Mommy.

August 7-8 — Bath Days Festival {Bath} — Home of the “International Bath Tub Races,” this family friendly fest includes crafts, a car show, rides, fireworks, a kids play area and of course – bath tub races. FREE entry.

August 7-9 — Great Lakes Folk Festival {East Lansing} — The MSU Museum presents this three-day celebration of culture, tradition and community. Find music, dance, food and more, including many hands-on activities for children inspired by music, dance, art and culture.

August 7-9 — Dearborn’s Homecoming {Dearborn}— This hometown festival includes lots of food, free family activities, stage performances, carnival rides, and fireworks displays on Saturday and Sunday nights. Admission is free. All activities are at Ford Field Park in Dearborn. $10 for parking.

August 8 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a duct tape pencil pouch.

August 8 — All Things Dairy at the Michigan Historical Museum {Lansing} — Learn about the new farm techniques and machines that revolutionized dairy-farming after the Civil War. Then, try your hand at making ice cream the old-fashioned way. This is a Second Saturdays for Families program and is included with museum admission. Adults – $6, seniors {65+} – $4, youth {6-17} – $2, children up to 5 years are free.

August 8 — Young Eagles Airplane Rides {Mason} — From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids ages 8-17 can enjoy a FREE airplane ride at the Mason Jewett Airport. A parent/guardian must be present or provide a signed permission slip. Flights are on a first come, first served basis.

August 8-9 — Shelby Township Art Fair {Shelby Township} — This family-friendly event features a variety of art, fine crafts, plus a section designated for Michigan made products. Bring the family for a day filled with activities and entertainment, and bring home a special piece of art, a hand-made item, product, or a souvenir from your visit. Listen to music at the bandshell, make a craft under the Kid’s Corner tent, play on a bouncer, visit with animals and more. Parking and entry is FREE.

August 10 – Macy’s 2nd Mondays at The Henry Ford Museum {Dearborn} – Introduce your preschool children to the wonders of The Henry Ford — all before nap time {10 a.m. – noon}. Storytelling, live entertainment and dozens of hands-on activities related to some of the museum’s most memorable artifacts. August’s theme is All Aboard! and will take place in Greenfield Village. FREE for kids, adults can get 25 percent off their tickets with this coupon!

August 10-15 – Woodward Dream Cruise {Ferndale through Pontiac} – Join spectators watching 40,000 cars cruise through the world’s largest one-day automotive event. Bring a lawn chair and take a seat along the route, which runs from Ferndale to Pontiac on Woodward Avenue. FREE.

August 11-15 — Back To The Bricks {Flint} — Visit Flint and be part of one of the biggest car events featuring a rolling cruise, kick-off party, live entertainment, automotive displays, vendors, food, antique fire trucks and dragster exhibits and more. FREE.

August 13-15 — Renegade Theatre Festival {Lansing}— Visit charming Old Town in Lansing for various theatre performances and kid fun. FREE.

August 14 — Ferndale Emergency Vehicle Show {Ferndale} — This event is in its 15th year and is the perfect opportunity for kids young and old to get up-close to emergency vehicles. Be sure to go to the Lights & Sirens show at 5:30 p.m. FREE.

August 14-15 — Dexter Daze {Dexter} — The festival includes more than 100 art, business and food booths, multiple music stages, as well as dozens of activities and events for families.

August 14-16 — St. Johns Mint Festival {St. Johns} —Celebrate more than 100 years of mint farming in Clinton County with arts & crafts, a flea market, food concessions, a parade, mint farm tours, free entertainment and more. A highlight of the festival is activities for kids including Kids World all weekend long and Kids Day on Sunday with exotic animals, games & contest—all for 25 cents each.

August 22 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is pencil topper.

August 25 — Fairy Houses and Gnome Homes {Flushing} — Visit Flushing County Park from 7-8 p.m. dressed in your fairy and gnome best for a story, craft and a building adventure. All ages welcome. FREE.

August 29 — Belle Isle Summer Saturdays {Detroit} — From 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., visit Belle Isle for TONS of family fun! Visitors can learn the fundamentals of kayaking and water exploration, rent bicycles, participate in outdoor games, brave the giant slide and explore Belle Isle with self-paced island tours. The Detroit City Chess Club will also be at Dossin Great Lakes Museum, and the Belle Isle Aquarium and Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory will be open and, as always, free to visit. FREE.

August 29 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a bookmark.

August 29-30 — Thunder Over Michigan Air Show {Ypsilanti} — Thunder over Michigan is one of Americas leading air shows and is considered the best warbird show in America. Held at Willow Run Airport, the show features world-class entertainment, including the Blue Angels, and fun for the whole family. Parking is $10 in advance or $20 on site. Admission tickets are $35; kids age 15 and under and free.

My oh my it’s just about JULY! Summer is already flying, eh? There are tons of fab events happening this month, with of course — many surrounding the 4th of July holiday. Take a peek at what’s coming up for family fun in Southeast Michigan in July 2015 including fun in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Lansing and surrounding areas, and be sure to mention what you’re up to this month in the comments!

July 1-4 – Salute to America in Greenfield Village {Dearborn} – A classic Independence Day celebration with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra that features authentic cannon fire and a spectacular fireworks display accompanied by live patriotic music. Event held rain or shine, just make sure to get tickets in advance! Adults 13+: $25, Youth 5-12: $15.50, children under 5 are free.

July 4– Salvation Army’s 50% off Clothing Day {Metro Detroit} – This is my absolute favorite day to hit up SalArmy for awesome deals. All metro Detroit, Washtenaw and Livingston County stores will be participating. Get there right at 7 a.m. for the best items.

July 4 – Independence Day at Cobblestone Farm {Ann Arbor} – Celebrate the tradition of our country’s freedom with nineteenth century activities. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the shade. Admission: Adults – $2, seniors – $1.50, kids – $1, 3 and under free, or family for $5.

July 4 – Independence Celebration at Crossroads Village {Flint} – Three cheers for the red, white and blue! Celebrate the holiday with all kinds of fun and games including an exciting carnival midway! Then take a break and enjoy our annual old-fashioned ice cream social. Adults – $10, children – $8, children 2 and under free.

July 4 – Maybury State Park Fishing Derby {Northville} – Children 17 and younger are invited out with their tackle box and pole to this annual catch-and-release derby. Prizes awarded for largest fish and most caught. FREE, but a recreation passport is required for entry to the park.

July 4 – Independence Fest {Clarkston} – This event features fun activities and a parade for the whole family. Parking and shuttle fees.

July 4 – Slide the City {Ann Arbor} – Embrace your inner child and get ready for the slide of your life! Slide the City is bringing the biggest water party of the summer to Ann Arbor. Grab your swimsuit and speed down to this one of a kind 600′ slip and slide. There will be music, dancing, food, drinks, and swag for sale. $40-$45 for late registration.

July 4 and July 9-12 – Concert of Colors {Detroit} – This popular Detroit event features ethnic tunes, food, arts, crafts and family fun at multiple Midtown Detroit venues. FREE.

July 4 – Home Depot Kid’s Workshop {Nationwide} – Learn how to build a Minions scooter at this hands-on workshops; designed for children ages 5 – 12. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Register online in advance. FREE. [Read more…]

We’re all excited for the kids to be done with school for the year, right? OK, maybe you’re dreading it just a bit…I mean, summer does mean a lot of time to keep little hands occupied and avoiding the boredom blahs.

To plan ahead, I’ve put together a little list of the can’t-miss fairs, festivals and summer events in Southeast Michigan! Take a peek and get to creating your family’s bucket list of fun.

I may be a little bias since it’s the month of my birthday, but June is the best month. Not too hot, not too cold; not too rainy. Everything is in bloom and beautiful. Also? There is TONS to do. Who else is excited for carnival season? Lots of great things coming up in this month’s round-up of Family Fun in June 2015 in Southeast Michigan!

June 2 — LEGO® Mini Model Build: LEGO Parrot {LEGO Store in Somerset Collection in Troy} — Visit your local LEGO Store on the first Tuesday of every month after 5 p.m. and you can learn how to build a cool mini model, and take it home – for free! Quantities are limited and offer is good while supplies last only. One per child. Event is open to children ages 6-14 only. FREE.

June 6 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a Father’s Day craft stick card.

June 6 – Family Fun at the Farm {Ionia} – This event is northwest of Lansing, but worth a mention! This is a one-day event designed to highlight agriculture. Produced from a partnership with Clinton County and Ionia County Farm Bureaus and many generous vendors. {We attended last year…Tons of free food and fun, and tractors of course!}

June 6 – Family Fun Day at Longway Planetarium {Flint} – Join Longway Planetarium, Genesee Conservation District and Goodwill for a day of free and fun hands-on science activities. Explore plants, animals, trees, water, soil, and people in our watershed. Lots of natural resources science stuff. FREE.

There is nothing I love more than going on an adventure to a new place. Only thing is, my sense of adventure doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with my budget. With three kids, I’m quickly learning how to be highly aware of the costs to do everything from grocery shop to vacation, which is why I created this handy dandy guide for how to save money at southeast Michigan attractions.

Just writing the word ‘May’ makes me SO happy. It’s one of my favorite months of the year for many reasons — the flowers peeking out, the smell of fresh-cut grass, and the return of many farmer’s markets are just a few. Luckily, there is plenty to do with kids this month too!

May 1 — Touch a Truck at Drake Sports {West Bloomfield} — From 6-9 p.m., kids can get a firsthand look at police, fire, construction, trash and all the really cool work vehicles we see every day, but don’t get the chance to touch. Several food trucks will also be on site. FREE.

May 1-3 — Spring Fling Fest {Mason} — Visit Mason to experience a 5K run, a craft show on the courthouse square, pie sale, duck race and much more. FREE.

May 2 — LEGO Bricks Build Off {Ann Arbor} — The Ann Arbor Art Center presents their Lego Exhibition. View all of the LEGO Bricks creations that were submitted by the finalists in the Ultimate Lego Bricks Build-Off Contest and vote for your favorite! Families are invited to participate in a craft project and LEGO activities during the exhibition. 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. FREE.

May 2 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a Mother’s Day wood frame.

May 2 – Fly Guy and Other Stories at The Wharton {East Lansing} – This inventive musical revue is based on favorite children’s books and may include Fly Guy meets Fly Girl, in which Fly Guy has met his match, and he is totally impressed…and totally smitten. Tickets: $9. Recommended for ages 4 and up. [Read more…]

April showers bring May flowers…So who’s hoping for some rain, and no more snow?!

My 2-year-old said it best the other day when she saw snowflakes falling from the sky: “Go ‘way snow!” Amen, girlfriend. Aaaaamen.

Lucky for us, there are so many fabulous events coming up that scream SPRING, so at least if the weather doesn’t cooperate, our brains will 😉 Enjoy planning some fun today with this big list!

Family Fun in April 2015 in Southeast Michigan:

Through April 30 — Butterflies in the Garden at MSU {East Lansing} — Visit the MSU Children’s Gardens to learn all about butterflies. FREE unless it’s a special event. Parking is free on the weekend, but there is a $1.80/hour charge during the week.

April 2 — Marshmallow Drop & Moon Glow {Howell} — Visit Genoa Park for this popular event for children, ages 0-8. The event begins with a fly-over helicopter dropping thousands of marshmallows and will move into a night-time egg hunt, so bring a flashlight! Register in advance to attend. $10/child.

April 4 — Bald Mountain Rec Area Easter Egg Hunt {Lake Orion} — Visit the Cherry Ridge Shelter Area at 11 a.m. for an egg hunt! There will be two different hunting areas for specific age groups. There will be 3,000 eggs to be found with a special prize for who finds the golden egg in each hunt! This event is open to the public but parking is limited. FREE, but must pay park entry {free if you have the recreation passport}.

April 4 — Eggstravaganza at Maybury State Park {Northville} — Join in the fun of an Egg Scramble! Eggs filled with great prizes including candy, toys, patches and gift certificates. Meet Maybury celebrities Smokey Bear and the Easter Bunny, play games, get your face painted, make a craft and plant a seed. Event held rain or shine. FREE, but must pay park entry {free if you have the recreation passport}.

April 4 — Dog Loves Books at the Meadow Brook Theatre {Rochester}— Louise Yates’ New York Times Best Seller comes to life in ArtsPower’s newest musical about the irresistible Dog who loves books SO much that he decides to open up his bookstore. This delightful musical celebrates the power of the imagination and the satisfaction that comes when you share books with others. Ideal for grades K-5. Shows at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are $15.

April 5 — HAPPY EASTER!

April 6 — DETROIT TIGER’S OPENING DAY!

April 10 — Lansing Lugnuts Home Opener {Lansing} –Grab some inexpensive tickets and bring the family to watch the Lugnuts, Lansing’s own minor league team. Tickets are just $5.50 thanks to 1996 pricing when the Lugnuts began! [Read more…]

Who is excited that March brings the first day of SPRING and Daylight Saving Time? We have never felt so ready in our lives. I love snow, but at this point, I’m just starting to feel over winter.

With that said, it means things are starting to heat up with family fun in March 2015 in Southeast Michigan. Check out the events I found around Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing and be sure to chime in if I’ve missed any great ones. I’ll also keep adding them as I find them, so check back often 😀

Throughout March — Flick’s Family Festival at Celebration Cinemas {Lansing and other various Michigan cities} — Features FREE movies for kids 12 and under and just $4 for adults. Showtimes are available on the Tuesday evenings the week the movie starts. Upcoming movies include: Dolphin Tale 2, Annie, The Box Trolls, The Book of Life and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

Throughout March — Goodrich Quality Theaters Free Spring Movies — {Ann Arbor, Canton, Oxford and other Michigan cities} — See nine weeks of previously released, kid-friendly films for FREE every Saturday and Sunday at 9 and 10 a.m. March films include: The Box Trolls, Dolphin Tale 2, Earth to Echo, The Book of Life and RIO 2.

March 1 — Belle’s Enchanted Tea Party {Flint} — The Young People’s Ballet Theatre are presenting the timeless story of Beauty and the Beast at the University of Michigan-Flint Theatre. For a special day at the ballet, join the characters from Beauty and the Beast at Blackstone’s Grill for Belle’s Enchanted Tea Party. This event includes tea sandwiches and refreshments, photo opportunities with characters from the ballet, premium seating for the Sunday 2 p.m. show, and a special gift from Belle. Seating is limited, $40 per person.

March 3 — IHOP National Pancake Day {Nationwide} — Stop into IHOP for FREE pancakes! Guests are encouraged to make a contribution to their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and if you make a $5 donation, you will receive a coupon good for $5 off your next visit. {This is an annual tradition for us! I think it’s like 40 cents to add chocolate chips, too — so worth it!}

March 7 — Leslie Science & Nature Center Parent’s Night Out {Ann Arbor} — Parent’s Night Out: Creatures of the Night is designed for kids ages 6-12, and will give parents an evening to enjoy themselves while their children have fun learning about the animals that are awake all night long. Kids will enjoy a night hike, meet an owl up close, and explore how human and animal senses work in the dark. Attendees will also have a pizza dinner and snack provided by LSNC. 5-9 p.m. $25/child.

March 7 — Home Depot Kids Workshop {Nationwide}— Visit Home Depot to build bookends! Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. Kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a workshop apron, and a pin. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. FREE. Register here.

March 7-8 — Wild Winter Safari Social at the Detroit Zoo {Royal Oak} — Escape the winter “blahs” with hot drinks and cool treats at Wild Winter Safari Social. Animal arts and crafts, face painting, animal enrichment activities, talks by the Zoo’s expert keepers and a winter safari scavenger hunt add to the fun. All activities are free with Zoo admission and take place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ford Education Center. Admission range: Free for 2 and under; $10-$14 for others.

Disclosure: The post below is sponsored by Absopure. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Mrs. Weber’s Neighborhood possible. All opinions expressed are my own.

Recent studies show kids ages 8-18 spend an average of 53 hours a week using entertainment media. Even though I adore technology, I have big limits when it comes to my kids. I find that fact pretty freaky. What happened to going outside to play and explore?

To me, there’s nothing quite like the great outdoors in Pure Michigan, no matter the season. I get it…It’s cold in winter. But that is no excuse. As a parent, getting out in the cold takes a lot of work, but its rewards far outweigh the negatives in my book; for starters, it enhances mood and wears kids out. Win-win.

I decided to create another BIG LIST of fun highlighting places to go outdoors in winter in southeast Michigan. The list below features spots for cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating, snow tubing and more, and specific to the Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing areas.

It’s the month of LOVE. But mostly, it’s a month of some kick butt things for families around Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing. I’m pretty stoked to check out some of this fun. Plan an adventure today

February 3 — Winnie The Pooh Character Lunch at Castaway Play {Howell} — Visit Castaway for lunch at 11:45 a.m. and our special pal will be visiting from 12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch includes one slice of pizza and a 12 oz. drink. $8.50/person.

February 4 — Young Explorer Days at the Michigan Science Center {Detroit} — Kids ages 2-5 hear the story It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw and play with a milk-like substance (dairy-free) they can shape to look like clouds in this science-themed activity. $10/adult {+1 child}, $5 for additional children.